MUARA NAVAL BASE, Monday 17 October 2016 – KRI USMAN HARUN AND KRI TERAPANG are in Brunei Darussalam for another series of Exercise Helang Laut between the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and the Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut (TNI AL). On the sideline of the exercise, the two navies also took the opportunity to update and sign the first revised version of Exercise HELANG LAUT Standard Exercise Procedure (HELSEP). The revision is first to be done since the document was first produced in 1994.
Signing on behalf of the RBN was Commander Spry bin Haji Seruji @ Haji Serudi, RBN Fleet Commander whilst First Admiral Dadi Hartanto, Commandant of Sea Battle Task Force Eastern Fleet TNI-AL signed for the latter. Present to observe the ceremony was the Commander of RBN, First Admiral Pengiran Dato Seri Pahlawan Norazmi bin Pengiran Haji Muhammad at the RBN Headquarter.
Exercise Helang Laut 17B/16 was officiated by the Fleet Commander of the RBN with an opening speech emphasising the key objectives of the exercise. These objectives are to enhance cooperation between the two navies whilst boosting interoperability and at the same time allowing the sharing of best practices between both sides. First Admiral Dadi in his return speech highlighted the importance of professionalism and competency on both sides while working together. The Exercise, the 17th series, which began on 16 October 2016 will run for six days and will end on 22 October 2016.
The exercise which involves the two TNI-AL’s ships together with KDB Daruttaqwa, KDB Berkat and some elements of the Naval Surface Action Group (NAVSAG) from the RBN, will see the crews working together both at sea and ashore. At sea Night Encounter Exercises, Surface Firing Exercise, Maritime Interdiction Operation Exercise have been planned and whilst ashore, they will also have the opportunity to interact in sports.
The Commander Task Group for this year’s exercise is Commander Sahibul Bahari bin Haji Zainal Abidin, RBN, Commanding Officer KDB DARUTTAQWA with Captain Alan Dahlan, TNI-AL, Commanding Officer KRI USMAN HARUN is the Deputy Commander Task Group.
